The New York Metropolitan area was infused with happenings yesterday. The Puerto Rican Day Parade was a hit during the day in midtown Manhattan, Hot 97’s Summer Jam was the place to be in the early evening at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. But, the late night belonged to Melky Jean and her Carma Foundation in Manhattan’s West Village.

The Grammy-nominated songwriter and sister of musician Wyclef Jean, not only celebrated her birthday, but she also celebrated the ten year anniversary of her non- profit and it’s Gemini’s Give Back event at Invite Only nightclub.

Long before the Haiti Earthquakes in 2010, Carma has been addressing the needs of Haitian people. Geminis Give Back is always a highly anticipated event which has garnered the support of various celebrities such as Anderson Cooper, John Legend, Patti Labelle, Ashley Graham, Hill Harper, Vivica Fox and Lynn Whitfield.

Former Celebrity Apprentice star, Omarosa Manigault was this years honoree. Now Director of Communications for the Office of Public Liaison for U.S. President Donald Trump, Manigault was honored with a Carma Foundation Spotlight Award, an award given to notables who shine light on political issues. Manigault has been vocal in the U.N.’s role in the Cholera outbreak in Haiti. Manigault, a close friend of Melky Jean, was happy to receive her award.

While on the red carpet, the political strategist took her obligatory photos with award in hand, expressed her ‘thank you’s,’ but declined interviews despite accepting such a prestigious award. “I can’t do interviews unless you arrange it through the White House,” she told me.

“I know that sounds weird.”

Other notables in attendance were Peter Kellner, the founder and Managing Partner of Endeavor Global. Additionally, Robert Jones, a Senior Executive at General Electric was in attendance and received a Carma Foundation Leadership Award. Actor, John Amos were also in attendance along with celebrity chef, ChefTheRose, Miami 103.5 The Beat’s radio personality K. Foxx.

About Brandon Robinson

Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson is a managing editor and columnist at RESPECT Magazine. Follow him on Twitter: @ScoopB and Instagram: @Scoop_B.
As a 12 year old, he was a Nets reporter from 1997-1999, co-hosting a show called Nets Slammin' Planet with former New Jersey Net Albert King and Nets play-by-play man Chris Carrino. He's also been a writer and radio host at CBS and a staff writer at The Source Magazine.
He's a graduate of both Eastern University and Hofstra University.
You can catch him daily on the Scoop B Radio Podcast. Visit ScoopBRadio.com to listen.
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